Help! How do I store potatoes?

Phil3822

I usually buy potatoes from the supermarket in the plastic bags. They never seem to last that long though, I put them away in cuboard and within a few weeks start sprouting.

Does anyone have any advice about making them last longer? I know some people buy sacks that last for months.

I had thought about buying them from somewhere like a farmshop but done know if that would make any dfference.

Thanks in advance All advice welcome

thriftlady_2

Hi Phil,
I buy a 25 kilo sack from a farmshop and they last for several months in my garage. I always makes sure the top of the bag is rolled down and sealed with a couple of pegs. It is the light that causes them to sprout. Sometimes, by the time we're down to the last fifth of the bag they do start sprouting. We still eat them though -just knock off the sprouts, they're fine.

Phil3822

Thanks. Is the same with most veg? Keep it in the dark and sealed and they will last ages?

lil_me

I buy in smaller quantities and use a potato sack I got out of a Kleeneze catalogue, some of the reps sell them online if you don't have one who delivers to the door. I keep them in the sack (take them straight out of the plastic) then put them in either the cupboard furthest from anything warm (learning from mistake from putting in a one near the cooker) or in the garage and have never had them last so long. Sack was only a few ££ and saved me lots in wasted spuds since.

I think this is the cheapest one on ebay, I got my second one from these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/POTATO-BAG-KEEP-FRESH-LONGER_W0QQitemZ180175419929QQihZ008QQcategoryZ20653QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Phil3822

That looks like a good idea, many thanks lil_me.

Penelope_Penguin

Try this older thread - Help! How do I store potates?

It went into Martin's email.

HTH, Penny. x

Phil3822

Lovely job, thanks

Racklen

i buy the lightly muddy potatoes the ones that havent been washed and scrubbed i find this helps them stay fresher for longer,

frosty

I keep mine in the fridge and they last for months.

Churchmouse

The potato bags work very well. But they are just thick cotton, allowing the potatoes to breathe but keeping out the light. In best MSE way I use two old 100% cotton pillowcases, one inside the other and they do the job brilliantly;)

If I had the storage capacity and a decent farm shop nearby, I'd buy sacks instead. I do believe *dirty* potatoes keep better than washed ones.